missoula schools watchdog is an advocate for neighborhood schools, district transparency and accountability, a basic education (the three R's), and a K-8 grade school configuration. missoula schools watchdog does not advocate closing or selling our schools, unnecessary busing, public schools helping private schools such as Missoula International School, irresponsible spending, and unnecessary and expensive programs such as the IB program. Now go to www.missoulaschoolwatchdog.blogspot.com
Friday, November 30, 2012
Sentinel High cross-country team surprises senior with letterman jacket, 'Most Inspirational' award - Missoulian article from the November 19th, 2012 edition
Click on the link below to read a Missoulian article published on November 19th, 2012 written bty Betsy Cohen reporting on an inspirational story about some Sentinel High School students.
Sentinel High cross-country team surprises senior with letterman jacket, 'Most Inspirational' award
Good job boys! You make Sentinel look good - Keep up the good work and may more of your classmates do similar things.
Hellgate students decorate graffiti mural with anti-meth message -Missoulian article on November 30th, 2012
Click on the link below to read a Missoulian article written by Gwen Florio published in the November 30th, 2012 edition reporting on an anti-meth art project at Hellgate High School.
Hellgate students decorate graffiti mural with anti-meth message
The subtitle reads, "Graffiti artist, students create mural to educate others about the dangers of meth use'
This artwork joins the artwork done by a previous generation that is displayed on a wall at Hellgate. Some teachers A few years ago were rummaging in a not-so-used area (msw forgot where) and found many pieces of art created by students in the 1940's. These pictures were framed and are now displayed. The historical aspect of the pictures is amazing.
So, too, will this latest piece of artwork become historical at a certain point in time.
When discussing Hellgate High School with my sister-in-law, a Hellgate alum from the 60's, she said she was disappointed that many of the murals which students had previously painted in the halls had been painted over.
Student artwork becomes more valuable with time - (as do our neighborhood schools - msw had to insert this!) - therefore, if school officials decide to remove it, it would behoove them to somehow save the artwork. It is my understanding that a mural can be saved, however, I'm not sure about this.
Hellgate students decorate graffiti mural with anti-meth message
The subtitle reads, "Graffiti artist, students create mural to educate others about the dangers of meth use'
This artwork joins the artwork done by a previous generation that is displayed on a wall at Hellgate. Some teachers A few years ago were rummaging in a not-so-used area (msw forgot where) and found many pieces of art created by students in the 1940's. These pictures were framed and are now displayed. The historical aspect of the pictures is amazing.
So, too, will this latest piece of artwork become historical at a certain point in time.
When discussing Hellgate High School with my sister-in-law, a Hellgate alum from the 60's, she said she was disappointed that many of the murals which students had previously painted in the halls had been painted over.
Student artwork becomes more valuable with time - (as do our neighborhood schools - msw had to insert this!) - therefore, if school officials decide to remove it, it would behoove them to somehow save the artwork. It is my understanding that a mural can be saved, however, I'm not sure about this.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Big Sky High students craft skis, snowboards; raffle planned - Missoulian article on November 29th, 2012
Click on link below for a November 29th, 2012, Missoulian article on what is happening in shop class at Big Sky High School.
The subtitle for the article reads, "Big Sky shop class crafts snowboards, skis. The article is written by Betsy Cohen, the reporter recently assigned to report on Missoula area school news.
Big Sky High students craft skis, snowboards; raffle planned
missoula schools watchdog is a proponent of shop class in our middle schools and in our high schools as well.
There seems to be lack in this area in MCPS schools in the younger grades.
Yes, it's nice for girls to learn about areas of a shop curriculum and for boys to learn about cooking.
However, it seemed to be beneficial to divide the girls and boys into home ec and shop classes respectively as was done for decades.
The subtitle for the article reads, "Big Sky shop class crafts snowboards, skis. The article is written by Betsy Cohen, the reporter recently assigned to report on Missoula area school news.
Big Sky High students craft skis, snowboards; raffle planned
missoula schools watchdog is a proponent of shop class in our middle schools and in our high schools as well.
There seems to be lack in this area in MCPS schools in the younger grades.
Yes, it's nice for girls to learn about areas of a shop curriculum and for boys to learn about cooking.
However, it seemed to be beneficial to divide the girls and boys into home ec and shop classes respectively as was done for decades.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Big Sky High thrift store holding 'Black Week' sale - Missoulian article from November 26th, 2012
Click below to read about a Missoulian article written by Betsy Cohen and published on November 26th, 2012 reporting on students at Big Sky High School. The subtitle of the article is, "Students holding a 'Black Week' of discounted merchandise."
Big Sky High thrift store holding 'Black Week' sale
Big Sky High thrift store holding 'Black Week' sale
Sunday, November 25, 2012
NO MORE SCHOOL CLOSURES OR SALES OFOUR PRICELESS NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS
Our family, living in the Rattlesnake Valley, suffered an injustice in 2004. Just as our third child was planning to attend Rattlesnake Middle School, as did his siblings in past years, in addition to finally being able to walk just a couple of blocks to this school, MCPS TRUSTEES PULLED THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER US!
This school closure scheme was foisted on Rattlesnake families on February 5, 2004. Just 48 days later, including the weekends which makes it even a shorter time span, on the evening and early morning hours of March 24th and the 25th of 2004, the MCPS school board voted (4-3) to close not only Rattlesnake Middle School, but also Prescott School, a school which had been closed and reopened a couple of times, and Mount Jumbo School in East Missoula.
Northeast Missoula families' hearts were broken into a million pieces.
As a family that has experienced a school closure and the threat of school closures, which can be almost as stressful to a family, msw (missoula schools watchdog) is warning both trustees, administrators, and citizens of Missoula, a school closure is NOT the answer to a school district's financial, social, educational, neighborhood, facility maintenance issues, enrollment issues, or any other problem or excuses that trustees will use to close or sell a school.
The 2004 school closures have cost the district millions of dollars over the last 8 years. In future posts msw will attempt to outline some of these costs.
The ongoing closure costs will NEVER be brought up by Trustees, as they were the cause of them. These costs will NEVER be paid by the people that caused the district the financial problems to the district. In other words, Trustees will NEVER be held accountable for the negative results stemming from their votes to close a school.
Have you ever heard of a trustee being charged for a modular that was built as a result of his/her shortsighted decisions? NO!
Please, Missoulians, FIGHT to keep our priceless neighborhood schools. Say NO to any more school closures. Say NO to any more school sales. Say NO to building new schools at this time. Say NO to favoritism for private schools.
Say YES to our neighborhood schools. Say YES to re-opening our closed schools. Vote for trustees that will value our neighborhood schools. Not the Trustees that are in power at this time.
This school closure scheme was foisted on Rattlesnake families on February 5, 2004. Just 48 days later, including the weekends which makes it even a shorter time span, on the evening and early morning hours of March 24th and the 25th of 2004, the MCPS school board voted (4-3) to close not only Rattlesnake Middle School, but also Prescott School, a school which had been closed and reopened a couple of times, and Mount Jumbo School in East Missoula.
Northeast Missoula families' hearts were broken into a million pieces.
As a family that has experienced a school closure and the threat of school closures, which can be almost as stressful to a family, msw (missoula schools watchdog) is warning both trustees, administrators, and citizens of Missoula, a school closure is NOT the answer to a school district's financial, social, educational, neighborhood, facility maintenance issues, enrollment issues, or any other problem or excuses that trustees will use to close or sell a school.
The 2004 school closures have cost the district millions of dollars over the last 8 years. In future posts msw will attempt to outline some of these costs.
The ongoing closure costs will NEVER be brought up by Trustees, as they were the cause of them. These costs will NEVER be paid by the people that caused the district the financial problems to the district. In other words, Trustees will NEVER be held accountable for the negative results stemming from their votes to close a school.
Have you ever heard of a trustee being charged for a modular that was built as a result of his/her shortsighted decisions? NO!
Please, Missoulians, FIGHT to keep our priceless neighborhood schools. Say NO to any more school closures. Say NO to any more school sales. Say NO to building new schools at this time. Say NO to favoritism for private schools.
Say YES to our neighborhood schools. Say YES to re-opening our closed schools. Vote for trustees that will value our neighborhood schools. Not the Trustees that are in power at this time.
Native American students thriving in Missoula County Public Schools - Missoulian article from November 25th, 2012
Click on link below to read a Missoulian article written by Betsy Cohen and published on November 25th, 2012 reporting on Native American students in Missoula schools.
Native American students thriving in Missoula County Public Schools
In most articles reporting on Missoula County Public Schools the Missoulian is not including the cost of the programs and where the funding for each of the programs is coming from.
As a family that has been negatively effected by school closures, this is important to us. During the school closures, the trustees are always pitting programs against school buildings.
The public needs to know the financial picture of each program before the program is implemented in addition to the ongoing costs. The district ALSO needs to know this.
This information needs to be available on the district website.
I have asked for information on the costs of the International Baccalaureate program. I have been given some of the preliminary costs, however it is time consuming to have to ask every month or so. For this reason I have also requested that the finances for this program be placed on the district website. The superintendent stated that this could not be done - so much for the transparency he talked about on a radio program.
I am not saying I am against this program. Although I am steadfastly against the IB program. What I'm saying is the taxpayers and citizens deserve to know what they are paying for; how OUR money is being spent.
Please, Betsy Cohen, follow up on a report on the costs of this program, from where the funding is coming, in addition to the costs of the IB program and from where that funding is coming. I and others would like to know.
Later: Responding to a comment on the Missoulian comment section after the article stating that the Montana constitution requires that schools add Native American studies to their curriculum - yes, it is in the Montana constitution which was re-written in 1972. It would still be nice to know how much this program is costing the taxpayers. Transparency is key when spending citizen's money.
Native American students thriving in Missoula County Public Schools
In most articles reporting on Missoula County Public Schools the Missoulian is not including the cost of the programs and where the funding for each of the programs is coming from.
As a family that has been negatively effected by school closures, this is important to us. During the school closures, the trustees are always pitting programs against school buildings.
The public needs to know the financial picture of each program before the program is implemented in addition to the ongoing costs. The district ALSO needs to know this.
This information needs to be available on the district website.
I have asked for information on the costs of the International Baccalaureate program. I have been given some of the preliminary costs, however it is time consuming to have to ask every month or so. For this reason I have also requested that the finances for this program be placed on the district website. The superintendent stated that this could not be done - so much for the transparency he talked about on a radio program.
I am not saying I am against this program. Although I am steadfastly against the IB program. What I'm saying is the taxpayers and citizens deserve to know what they are paying for; how OUR money is being spent.
Please, Betsy Cohen, follow up on a report on the costs of this program, from where the funding is coming, in addition to the costs of the IB program and from where that funding is coming. I and others would like to know.
Later: Responding to a comment on the Missoulian comment section after the article stating that the Montana constitution requires that schools add Native American studies to their curriculum - yes, it is in the Montana constitution which was re-written in 1972. It would still be nice to know how much this program is costing the taxpayers. Transparency is key when spending citizen's money.
Monday, November 12, 2012
MCPS taxpayers to reap savings of more than $500K - Missoulian article on November 12, 2012
Click on the link to read about a Missoulian article written by Betsy Cohen published on November 12th, 2012, reporting on the district saving money by refinancing a bond.
MCPS taxpayers to reap savings of more than $500K
A quote from the story, "A savings of more than $500,0000 is en route to district taxpayers, thanks to the watchful eye of Pat McHugh. director of business and operations for Missoula County Public Schools.
Congratulations to Pat McHugh and MCPS.
You have now made up for the $500,000 loss to the district due to the lease of Missoula's public school, Prescott School, to a private school, Missoula International School for one year.
Prior to the MIS/ Prescott School lease extension in 2011, a math professor sent an email to all 11 Trustees and Superintendent Apostle stating that the MCPS school district lost $500,000 in the prior year due to the lease. Business director McHugh and all Trustees and the superintendent did not heed his warnings.
McHugh and other district officials fail to comprehend or they choose to ignore the fact that leasing a public school to the competition, that is a private school such as MIS, is not a viable course of action for the district.
If McHugh had been looking out for the best interests of the public school system rather than the desires of a private school he would have advised against the lease extension.
Not only does a business manager of a school district have a responsibility to obtain good rates on a bond, but he/she also has a responsibility to advise district officials, including trustees and the superintendent, on the fiscal details of facility issues. In all due respect, business director Pat McHugh has reneged on his responsibilities in this area.
Most importantly, Pat McHugh stated at the meeting in July of 2011 when the issue of the MIS/Prescott School lease extension was discussed that the district DID NOT NEED Prescott School.
If that is so, why did the district end up building a modular at Rattlesnake School this summer, less than a year after the lease extension was approved.
Prescott School is located just down the road from Rattlesnake School and could easily have been available if the distsrict had not extended the lease of the school to MIS.
The increase in enrollment will increase in the next several years, therefore, opening Prescott School would have been the responsible course of action. Or does the district intend to build a series of modulars all over the Rattlesnake School playground while a private school profits for the use of our public school?
So, now the Pat McHugh and other district officials need to figure out a way to make up for the approximately $250,000 cost of the Rattlesnake School modular that would not have been needed had the district opened Prescott School.
Additionally, the crowding at Rattlesnake School could have easily been mitigated had the lease been on a one year term. Whenever a school district enters into a lease agreement, the business manager would advise that a lease be on a yearly basis rather than long term. This would be the cautious approach.
The district needs to decide to open Prescott School when the lease expires, which is, unfortunately, in 2017! However, the school district needs to let MIS know that MCPS NEEDS PRESCOTT SCHOOL for its own students and will open it in 2017.
MCPS taxpayers to reap savings of more than $500K
A quote from the story, "A savings of more than $500,0000 is en route to district taxpayers, thanks to the watchful eye of Pat McHugh. director of business and operations for Missoula County Public Schools.
Congratulations to Pat McHugh and MCPS.
You have now made up for the $500,000 loss to the district due to the lease of Missoula's public school, Prescott School, to a private school, Missoula International School for one year.
Prior to the MIS/ Prescott School lease extension in 2011, a math professor sent an email to all 11 Trustees and Superintendent Apostle stating that the MCPS school district lost $500,000 in the prior year due to the lease. Business director McHugh and all Trustees and the superintendent did not heed his warnings.
McHugh and other district officials fail to comprehend or they choose to ignore the fact that leasing a public school to the competition, that is a private school such as MIS, is not a viable course of action for the district.
If McHugh had been looking out for the best interests of the public school system rather than the desires of a private school he would have advised against the lease extension.
Not only does a business manager of a school district have a responsibility to obtain good rates on a bond, but he/she also has a responsibility to advise district officials, including trustees and the superintendent, on the fiscal details of facility issues. In all due respect, business director Pat McHugh has reneged on his responsibilities in this area.
Most importantly, Pat McHugh stated at the meeting in July of 2011 when the issue of the MIS/Prescott School lease extension was discussed that the district DID NOT NEED Prescott School.
If that is so, why did the district end up building a modular at Rattlesnake School this summer, less than a year after the lease extension was approved.
Prescott School is located just down the road from Rattlesnake School and could easily have been available if the distsrict had not extended the lease of the school to MIS.
The increase in enrollment will increase in the next several years, therefore, opening Prescott School would have been the responsible course of action. Or does the district intend to build a series of modulars all over the Rattlesnake School playground while a private school profits for the use of our public school?
So, now the Pat McHugh and other district officials need to figure out a way to make up for the approximately $250,000 cost of the Rattlesnake School modular that would not have been needed had the district opened Prescott School.
Additionally, the crowding at Rattlesnake School could have easily been mitigated had the lease been on a one year term. Whenever a school district enters into a lease agreement, the business manager would advise that a lease be on a yearly basis rather than long term. This would be the cautious approach.
The district needs to decide to open Prescott School when the lease expires, which is, unfortunately, in 2017! However, the school district needs to let MIS know that MCPS NEEDS PRESCOTT SCHOOL for its own students and will open it in 2017.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
TWO AND POTENTIALLY THREE of Missoula's Public Schools have been converted to or have added the International Baccalaureate program!
missoula schools watchdog would like to point out to Missoulians that the International Baccalaureate Program, a controversial international educational program, is taking an unprecedented foothold into Missoula schools, both on the elementary and high school levels.
TWO OF MISSOULA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAYBE A THIRD NOW HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM!
1. PRESCOTT SCHOOL - In 2004, three northeast Missoula schools were closed by a 4-3 vote. One of these schools, located in the lower Rattlesnake Valley, Prescott School, was hurriedly leased shortly after the closures for 5 years to the private Missoula International School. MIS is an IB (International Baccalaureate School).
2. HELLGATE HIGH SCHOOL - Hellgate is now in it's first year of offering the IB program after a few years of working to get it off the ground.
Moreover, one wonders if the school district added IB at Hellgate High as another favor to MIS so that their students could continue the IB curriculum without starting a high school program themselves.
Note: msw finds that it is difficult to get a handle on the true costs of the IB program at Hellgate. The MCPS school district does not seem to have the total costs compiled in one place when the financial information is requested.
3. LEWIS AND CLARK SCHOOL - And finally, the district is thinking of converting the entire school of Lewis and Clark into an IB school!! This has been done in other cities across the country with ample negative public feedback.
Quote found on truthaboutib.com letter to the editor by Duncan Koler regarding a Coeur d"Alene elementary school converted to an IB school, "They disagree with bringing U.N. linked education to our schools without public discussions, they disagree with the board hijacking Hayden Meadows, a neighborhood elementary school and making it an ideological test tube under the double-speak name "School of Choice".
Missoulian's need work to stop IB - Hellgate High - and stop an entire school converting to an IB school - Lewis and Clark - in addition, we need to stop leasing our public schools to COMPETING private schools which turn a popular neighborhood school into an IB school - Prescott.
The International Baccalaureate Program headquarters must be overjoyed at this cash cow from MCPS for their international educational program.
See information on IB on the "truthaboutib.com" website.
Contact the MCPS Trustees and let them know you are against IB in our schools!
Postscript:
Missoula International School, since 2004, has grown astronomically due to the upgrade in facilities that Prescott School offers. Many of these MIS students must no doubt come from the Missoula Public Schools boundary areas. Due to the state funding formulas, each student is "worth" approximately $5,000 to the MCPS coffers. One can see that the district is hemorrhaging money due to this lease - a prudent and loyal school board would not have entered into the Prescott School/MIS lease arrangement. See www.prescottschoolmissoula.blogspot.com for more information on the many blog posts - some having to do with conflict of interest issues and job incentive for votes for members of the school board.
(We also need to create a "sinking fund" to go towards buying back Roosevelt School if the opportunity presents itself as MCPS has right of first refusal.)
TWO OF MISSOULA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAYBE A THIRD NOW HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM!
1. PRESCOTT SCHOOL - In 2004, three northeast Missoula schools were closed by a 4-3 vote. One of these schools, located in the lower Rattlesnake Valley, Prescott School, was hurriedly leased shortly after the closures for 5 years to the private Missoula International School. MIS is an IB (International Baccalaureate School).
2. HELLGATE HIGH SCHOOL - Hellgate is now in it's first year of offering the IB program after a few years of working to get it off the ground.
Moreover, one wonders if the school district added IB at Hellgate High as another favor to MIS so that their students could continue the IB curriculum without starting a high school program themselves.
Note: msw finds that it is difficult to get a handle on the true costs of the IB program at Hellgate. The MCPS school district does not seem to have the total costs compiled in one place when the financial information is requested.
3. LEWIS AND CLARK SCHOOL - And finally, the district is thinking of converting the entire school of Lewis and Clark into an IB school!! This has been done in other cities across the country with ample negative public feedback.
Quote found on truthaboutib.com letter to the editor by Duncan Koler regarding a Coeur d"Alene elementary school converted to an IB school, "They disagree with bringing U.N. linked education to our schools without public discussions, they disagree with the board hijacking Hayden Meadows, a neighborhood elementary school and making it an ideological test tube under the double-speak name "School of Choice".
Missoulian's need work to stop IB - Hellgate High - and stop an entire school converting to an IB school - Lewis and Clark - in addition, we need to stop leasing our public schools to COMPETING private schools which turn a popular neighborhood school into an IB school - Prescott.
The International Baccalaureate Program headquarters must be overjoyed at this cash cow from MCPS for their international educational program.
See information on IB on the "truthaboutib.com" website.
Contact the MCPS Trustees and let them know you are against IB in our schools!
Postscript:
Missoula International School, since 2004, has grown astronomically due to the upgrade in facilities that Prescott School offers. Many of these MIS students must no doubt come from the Missoula Public Schools boundary areas. Due to the state funding formulas, each student is "worth" approximately $5,000 to the MCPS coffers. One can see that the district is hemorrhaging money due to this lease - a prudent and loyal school board would not have entered into the Prescott School/MIS lease arrangement. See www.prescottschoolmissoula.blogspot.com for more information on the many blog posts - some having to do with conflict of interest issues and job incentive for votes for members of the school board.
(We also need to create a "sinking fund" to go towards buying back Roosevelt School if the opportunity presents itself as MCPS has right of first refusal.)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Blaine County eyes charges against Hays-Lodge Pole school board president
Click on the link below about a school board president experiencing negative ramifications due to his decision to close an elementary school.
The 2004 MCPS school closures and the school closure in this article have many of the same threads.
Blaine County eyes charges against Hays-Lodge Pole school board president
Friday, November 2, 2012
MCPS celebrates school year with picnic for educators, staff
Click on link below -
MCPS celebrates school year with picnic for educators, staff
A Missoulian article reports on a picnic for MCPS staff on August 27, 2012.
msw has decided to publish the article so that readers of missoula schools watchdog can easily access the article from this blog.
msw will attempt to keep up with MCPS newspaper articles and post them on the msw blog.
Meeting focuses on future of Graduation Matters Missoula
Meeting focuses on future of Graduation Matters Missoula
The above link is to a Missoulian report on Graduation Matters and MCPS goals.
In the newspaper the title of the article is, "Meeting offers glimpse at goals."
The article states,
"Separated into small groups of three to four people, the groups rotated through four stations to learn more details about the two-year-old mission that has already reduced the dropout rate from 4.68 percent in 2009 to 2.58 percent – the lowest in all AA districts in Montana. And currently, MCPS is closing in on a 90 percent graduation rate."
msw attended a meeting in 2004 at which parents were separated into small groups to discuss where students would be bused following the school closures. Additionally, the district's Ad Hoc High School Futures Meetings used the small group concept.
msw is not a fan of meetings at which the people are separated in small groups or at separate tables. msw is in favor or meetings in which all people can hear what each person is saying. Some say that dividing people into small groups is a "divide and conquer" strategy which weakens the power of the citizens in public meetings.
and -
"Although the new Health Science Academy at Big Sky High School and the International Baccalaureate program at Hellgate High School are the shining stars of Graduation Matters Missoula, the program agenda is much more, said Melanie Charlson,
president of the Missoula Education Association."
msw would like to know -
- how much are the two new programs costing Missoula taxpayers and what programs will need to be cut due to adding these two programs?
Other helpful information would be...
- what are the names of all the teachers at Hellgate High School and other schools that have received IB training, where did they receive their training, and how much did it cost, including all travel expenses?
- what is the payroll costs of the IB program so far?
- how and why did Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, our neighbor to the west, kick IB out of their schools?
- what do MCPS officials think about the association of IB with UNESCO?
The above link is to a Missoulian report on Graduation Matters and MCPS goals.
In the newspaper the title of the article is, "Meeting offers glimpse at goals."
The article states,
"Separated into small groups of three to four people, the groups rotated through four stations to learn more details about the two-year-old mission that has already reduced the dropout rate from 4.68 percent in 2009 to 2.58 percent – the lowest in all AA districts in Montana. And currently, MCPS is closing in on a 90 percent graduation rate."
msw attended a meeting in 2004 at which parents were separated into small groups to discuss where students would be bused following the school closures. Additionally, the district's Ad Hoc High School Futures Meetings used the small group concept.
msw is not a fan of meetings at which the people are separated in small groups or at separate tables. msw is in favor or meetings in which all people can hear what each person is saying. Some say that dividing people into small groups is a "divide and conquer" strategy which weakens the power of the citizens in public meetings.
and -
"Although the new Health Science Academy at Big Sky High School and the International Baccalaureate program at Hellgate High School are the shining stars of Graduation Matters Missoula, the program agenda is much more, said Melanie Charlson,
president of the Missoula Education Association."
msw would like to know -
- how much are the two new programs costing Missoula taxpayers and what programs will need to be cut due to adding these two programs?
Other helpful information would be...
- what are the names of all the teachers at Hellgate High School and other schools that have received IB training, where did they receive their training, and how much did it cost, including all travel expenses?
- what is the payroll costs of the IB program so far?
- how and why did Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, our neighbor to the west, kick IB out of their schools?
- what do MCPS officials think about the association of IB with UNESCO?
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan (cut and paste from internet document)
missoula schools watchdog believes that Missoulians need to be aware of a facility plan project going on within Missoula County Public Schools offices.
msw and family and many neighbors in the northern part of Missoula were victims of a tragic facility plan decision by MCPS Trustees and administrators. In 2004, THREE schools were closed unnecessarily, throwing most of Missoula schools into chaos due to the overcrowding of the remaining open schools.
msw believes that NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM THIS PROJECT PLAN.
msw believes the above as many of the same people in charge of the changes in 2004 and also in 2005 with the sale of Roosevelt School, are now in charge of potentially MORE DESTRUCTIVE PLANS FOR MORE OF OUR MISSOULA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Trustees in 2004 and 2005 did favors for PRIVATE SCHOOLS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Missoula International School, which is STILL leasing Prescott School and Missoula Catholic Schools which leased and then bought Roosevlet School have reaped the benefits of the disloyal Trustees WHICH ARE STILL IN OFFICE. We are now seeing results of the DISASTROUS DECISIONS during those two years - MANY EXPENSIVE ADDITIONS AND MODULARS due to over-crowding in Missoula's schools! All of which contributes to so much busing for our students.
msw is of the belief that Missoula County Public Schools needs to re-open our many closed schools due to the projected increase in enrollment by an economist (Dr. Larry Swanson completed a demographic report on enrollment trends for MCPS).
The Trustees in charge and their MCPS friends have discussed building NEW SCHOOLS for our students. In August 2005, MCPS administrators created a 3 page facility plan document with more harmful AND EXPENSIVE facility ideas.
Below is just one document in this new 2012 process. msw hopes to post more in the future. msw is finding it difficult to cut and paste the links to these documents, however, will work on this in the future. Thank you for your patience during this publishing process.
msw and family and many neighbors in the northern part of Missoula were victims of a tragic facility plan decision by MCPS Trustees and administrators. In 2004, THREE schools were closed unnecessarily, throwing most of Missoula schools into chaos due to the overcrowding of the remaining open schools.
msw believes that NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM THIS PROJECT PLAN.
msw believes the above as many of the same people in charge of the changes in 2004 and also in 2005 with the sale of Roosevelt School, are now in charge of potentially MORE DESTRUCTIVE PLANS FOR MORE OF OUR MISSOULA PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Trustees in 2004 and 2005 did favors for PRIVATE SCHOOLS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Missoula International School, which is STILL leasing Prescott School and Missoula Catholic Schools which leased and then bought Roosevlet School have reaped the benefits of the disloyal Trustees WHICH ARE STILL IN OFFICE. We are now seeing results of the DISASTROUS DECISIONS during those two years - MANY EXPENSIVE ADDITIONS AND MODULARS due to over-crowding in Missoula's schools! All of which contributes to so much busing for our students.
msw is of the belief that Missoula County Public Schools needs to re-open our many closed schools due to the projected increase in enrollment by an economist (Dr. Larry Swanson completed a demographic report on enrollment trends for MCPS).
The Trustees in charge and their MCPS friends have discussed building NEW SCHOOLS for our students. In August 2005, MCPS administrators created a 3 page facility plan document with more harmful AND EXPENSIVE facility ideas.
Below is just one document in this new 2012 process. msw hopes to post more in the future. msw is finding it difficult to cut and paste the links to these documents, however, will work on this in the future. Thank you for your patience during this publishing process.
Requests for Qualifications (RFQ)
for Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan
View
and/or download original RFQ document
for Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan (pdf)
published
May 7.
View
and/or download AMENDMENT
published May 16 to original RFQ document.
View
and/or download revised RFQ
document with May 16 amendment incorporated into text
(see
page 8 of document).
Missoula
County Public Schools serves 8,500 students
in the Missoula and Seeley Lake, Mont. communities. The District consists of 17
schools - nine elementary (K-5), three middle schools (6-8), and four high
schools (9-12), an alternative high school programs, adult education, division,
preschool program, and vocational agricultural complex. The District also
operates and maintains several parcels of vacant land, a business building,
administration building, and several buildings rented to other organizations.
MCPS is committed to providing the highest quality education for all of its
students. The District has five main goals that guide the development of its
teaching and learning programs:
- Achievement and graduation for all
students, regardless of their circumstances and abilities.
- Refine and implement a quality evaluation
and supervision program for all staff.
- Define and implement a quality professional
development program that encompasses best practices and supports the needs
of all staff.
- Restructure the organization to become more
efficient, effective and accountable to support the goals of the District.
- Cultivate and enhance staff, student,
parent, business, and community involvement.
In the 2011-2012 school
year, the District completed a 21st Century
Comprehensive Educational Plan that now provides the vision for
necessary educational facilities in the next 15 years. The 21st Century Model
of Education is focused on six key elements: incease student engagement;
transform learning environment; support early innovators; personalize
professional growth; enhance communications; and collaborate with all
stakeholders to make decisions.
MCPS must position its
schools and facilities to support integration of the 21st Century Model of
Education. The District seeks to establish a comprehensive facilities plan that
identifies 5, 10, and 15 year recommendations for new construction, expansion,
renovation and/or other options for buildings and properties in support of the
educational vision developed through the 21st Century Model of Education. The
Plan must also identify the necessary technology infrastructure and backbone
that will be required in all buildings to support the integration of existing
and emerging technologies in classrooms.
The District will
establish a Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan Committee to oversee the
development of the Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan. The bulk of the
community and District input to the facilities plan should be completed between
October 2012 and March 2013. A wide range of input from district teachers,
staff, students, parents, community members and organizations is necessary to
identify key stakeholders, issues and tasks. Respondents may propose
alternative approaches which achieve similar goals by clearly indentifying any
changes from the scope of services in the RFQ and the rationale for the
proposed alternative approach including time or cost savings.
APPROXIMATE PROJECT
SCHEDULE:
RFQ Avaliable - May 3,
2012
Deadline for RFQ
Questions - May 15, 2012
MCPS Final
Addendums/Updates - May 16-18, 2012
RFQ Responses due - June
5, 2012
Interview Invitations -
June 15, 2012
Interviews - June/July
2012
Notify recommended
Awardee pending Board approval - July/August 2012
Board of Trustee
approval of Awardee - Aug/Sept 2012
Collection of date;
Public/District Involvement Process - Oct/Dec 2012
Public Involvement -
Jan/Mar, 2012
Present Comprehensive
Plan Option & Alternatives - April 2013
Public Review of Options
to identify preferred alternatives - May/June 2013
Planning Committee
selects preferred recommendations - Aug 2013
Preferred Plan
recommendations to Board of Trustees - Sept/Oct 2013
Final Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan
documents delivered - Dec 2013
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